Metallization structures under a semiconductor device layer

ABSTRACT

Metallization structures under a semiconductor device layer. A metallization structure in alignment with semiconductor fin may be on a side of the fin opposite a gate stack. Backside and/or frontside substrate processing techniques may be employed to form such metallization structures on a bottom of a semiconductor fin or between bottom portions of two adjacent fins. Such metallization structures may accompany interconnect metallization layers that are over a gate stack, for example to increase metallization layer density for a given number of semiconductor device layers.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This Application is a National Stage Entry of, and claims priority to,PCT Application No. PCT/US2017/040549, filed on Jul. 1, 2017 and titled“METALLIZATION STRUCTURES UNDER A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE LAYER”, which isincorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Microelectronic device fabrication typically includes multiple levels ofmetallization over a device layer. Metallization under a device layermay be advantageous, for example as a path toward 3D monolithicintegration, but device structures and techniques for forming suchstructures are not yet practiced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the disclosure will be understood more fully from thedetailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings ofvarious embodiments of the disclosure, which, however, should not betaken to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments, but are forexplanation and understanding only.

FIG. 1A illustrates a topside isometric view of a multi-fin transistordevice layer embedded in an isolation dielectric, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 1B illustrates an inverted isometric view of the multi-fintransistor device layer, revealing metallization structures on thebottom of the device along trenches between fins, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 2A illustrates an isometric view of the multi-fin transistor devicewith the isolation dielectric partially removed to reveal top sidedevice structure, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view through adjacent fins of thedevice shown in FIG. 2A along section line A-A′ in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional view along the length of a fin ofthe device shown in FIG. 2A, taken along section line B-B′, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3A illustrates a topside isometric view of a multi-fin transistordevice layer embedded in an isolation dielectric, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 3B illustrates an inverted isometric view of the device shown inFIG. 3A, revealing metallization structures on the bottom along recessesformed under the fins and between trenches, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 4A illustrates an isometric view of the multi-fin transistor devicewith the isolation dielectric partially removed to reveal top sidedevice structure, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view through adjacent fins of thedevice shown in FIG. 4A along section line A-A′, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 4C illustrates a cross-sectional view along the length of a fin ofthe device shown in FIG. 4A, taken along section line B-B′, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method of formingmetallization structures within recessed trenches formed within theisolation dielectric between subfins of a multi-fin transistor devicelayer, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 6A-D illustrate isometric views of a multi-fin transistor deviceevolving as selected operations in the exemplary method illustrated inFIG. 5 are performed, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method of formingmetallization structures within recesses formed directly under subfinsbetween isolation dielectric of a multi-fin transistor device layer, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8A-C illustrate isometric views of a multi-fin transistor deviceevolving as selected operations in the exemplary method illustrated inFIG. 7 are performed, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method of forming finsin an epitaxial semiconductor layer grown over metallization structuresfirst formed on the semiconductor substrate, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 10A-F illustrate a sequence of isometric views of the evolution offin fabrication from an epitaxial semiconductor layer, as selectedoperations of the exemplary method illustrated in FIG. 9 are performed,in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method of formingfins in an epitaxial semiconductor layer grown over an interveningdielectric layer over metallization structures formed on thesemiconductor substrate, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 12A-D illustrate a sequence of isometric views of epitaxial finfabrication over metallization structures having an interveningdielectric layer, as selected operations of the exemplary methodillustrated in FIG. 11 are performed, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 13 illustrates a mobile computing platform and a data servermachine employing an SoC including a multi-fin transistor device, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of an electronic computing device,in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In finFET device architecture, devices include one or more high aspectratio semiconductor fins, formed for example by etching parallelsidewall trenches in bulk or semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI)substrates. The fin is then employed at least for the channel of the FETtransistor. A gate stack wraps over a sidewall, a perhaps also the topsof the fins. The drain and source regions of the field effecttransistors (FETs) couple to the fin on opposite sides of the gatestack. Gaps between fin sidewalls may be a few nanometers to tens ofnanometers wide. The gaps may be filled with a dielectric material, suchas a silicon oxide. Further metallization may follow to introduce metalelectrodes on the transistors, as well as interconnect structures.

For high density arrays of transistors, it may be advantageous to havemetallization over the transistors, but also under the transistors,(i.e., on the back side of the substrate or within the bulk of thesubstrate). It may also be advantageous to have such metallizationrouted as close as possible to a fin of a transistor. A number ofstructures with metallization under the device semiconductor, andmethods of fabrication are described herein.

In the following description, numerous details are discussed to providea more thorough explanation of embodiments of the present disclosure. Itwill be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that embodimentsof the present disclosure may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoidobscuring embodiments of the present disclosure.

Throughout the specification and in the claims, spatial orientationreferences are made by the terms “top”, “bottom', “under”, “adjacent”,“side “, “below” and “above”. These terms indicate position of an objectrelative to another object.

Throughout the specification, and in the claims, the term “connected”means a direct connection, such as electrical, mechanical, or magneticconnection between the things that are connected, without anyintermediary devices. The term “coupled” means a direct or indirectconnection, such as a direct electrical, mechanical, or magneticconnection between the things that are connected or an indirectconnection, through one or more passive or active intermediary devices.The term “circuit” or “module” may refer to one or more passive and/oractive components that are arranged to cooperate with one another toprovide a desired function. The term “signal” may refer to at least onecurrent signal, voltage signal, magnetic signal, or data/clock signal.The meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references.

The terms “substantially,” “close,” “approximately,” “near,” and“about,” generally refer to being within +/−10% of a target value(unless specifically specified). Unless otherwise specified the use ofthe ordinal adjectives “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc., to describea common object, merely indicate that different instances of likeobjects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that theobjects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally,spatially, in ranking or in any other manner.

For the purposes of the present disclosure, phrases “A and/or B” and “Aor B” mean (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the presentdisclosure, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B),(A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C).

Notably, while the figures and description are provided in the contextrectangular fin structures, this is merely for clarity. Corner roundingand sidewall slopes and non-orthogonal intersections may of courseresult from imperfections that can be expected to exist in anymanufacturing process. Hence, in practice a fin structure cross-sectionmay be trapezoidal, hourglass shaped, necked with one or moreindentations, another shape (e.g., a nanowire, nanosheet or nanoribbon)including multiple alternating semiconductor and insulator regions, etc.

FIG. 1A illustrates a topside isometric view of a multi-fin transistordevice structure 100 according to the embodiments of this disclosure.The isometric view of FIG. 1A and isometric views of subsequent figuresof this disclosure will be understood to illustrate only representativeportions or truncations of a larger integrated circuit. It is furtherunderstood that device structure 100 comprises a plurality of repeatingrows of fins and intervening trenches extending along the x-axis of theFIG. 1A. Device structure 100 includes fins 103, 104 and 105. Fins103-105 may be any suitable semiconductor material, such as, but notlimited to group IV materials (e.g., silicon, germanium,silicon-germanium alloy), group III-V material (e.g., gallium arsenide,indium phosphide, indium arsenide), III-N materials such as galliumnitride, II-VI materials such as cadmium telluride. Fins 103-105 mayalso be, in some alternative embodiments, comprise a semiconductor oxidesuch an indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), etc. In exemplary embodiments,fins 103-105 are substantially monocrystalline. Alternative embodimentswhere fins 103-105 are polycrystalline (e.g., nanocrystalline,microcrystalline) thin films are also possible. Fins 103-105 compriseone row of fins. Structure 100 further comprises columns of fins, witheach column extending along the y-axis of FIG. 1A. Each fin isassociated with a transistor (e.g., FET). In some embodiments, anintegrated circuit includes other passive or active devices (notdepicted) accompanying the transistors.

In device structure 100, metallization structures 102 are embeddedwithin trenches in isolation 101, and between adjacent fins 103-105.Isolation 101 may comprise any conventional dielectric or low-kdielectric known to be suitable for FET isolation structures, such as,but not limited to, silicon oxides (SiO) silicon nitrides (SiN), siliconoxynitride (SiON), carbon-doped oxide (SiOC(H)), MSQ, HSQ, porousdielectrics. Metallization structures 102 include any material havingelectrical and/or thermal conduction characteristics significantlygreater than those of fins 103-105. In some embodiments, metallizationstructures 102 are copper or an alloy of copper. In some otherembodiments, metallization structures 102 are aluminum or an alloy ofaluminum. In some other embodiments, metallization structures 102comprise at least one of tungsten, titanium, ruthenium, or tantalum.Other metals are also possible (e.g., gold, silver, cobalt, etc.). Insome embodiments, metallization structures 102 are a semimetal such as,but not limited to, graphite, graphene, metal silicides, etc. Topsurfaces of gate stacks 106-111 are also visible in FIG. 1A. Each gatestack includes a gate electrode material separated from a fin by a gatedielectric material. The gate electrode may be any suitable material(s),such as, but not limited to, doped semiconductor and metals having adesired workfunction. The gate dielectric material may be of anyconventional permittivity (e.g., silicon dioxide) or high-k dielectric(e.g., bulk relative permittivity over 9) material (e.g., HfO2, Al2O3,other metal oxides, and metal silicates).

FIG. 1B illustrates an inverted isometric view of multi-fin transistordevice structure 100, further showing metallization structures 102 onthe bottom or underside of device structure 100, according to someembodiments of the disclosure. In FIG. 1B, bottom surfaces 117-119 offins 103-105, and 106, 107 and 108 are shown. Metallization structures102 extend between adjacent ones of fins 103-108, embedded within a baseof isolation dielectric layer 101. With the exemplary fins 103-108 beinglinearly spaced, metallization structures 102 are linear (i.e., lines).In the illustrated embodiment, a bottom surface of metallizationstructures 102 is substantially planar with bottom fin surfaces 117-119.In some further embodiments, a dielectric liner 112 intervenes betweensidewalls of fins 103-105 and metallization structures 102, as describedin greater detail below. Dielectric liner 112 may, for example,electrically insulate and/or prevent inter-diffusion between metal linesand adjacent fins. As further shown in FIG. 1B, plugs 116 separate fins103-108. Plugs 116 may be any suitable dielectric material, such as, butnot limited to, SiO, SiN, SiON, SiOC(H), MSQ, HSQ, porous dielectrics,etc. Short ends of adjacent fins are thus separated from each other byplugs 116. As will be described below, fins 103-108 comprise at leastthe channel region of the field effect transistors in device structure100. Fins 103-108 may also comprise a source and a drain of the fieldeffect transistors, or the source and drain may be coupled to oppositeends of fins 103-108. During operation, current flowing though thetransistor body between source and drain is to be modulated by a voltageapplied through gate stacks 106-111. During operation, current and/orheat may flow through metallization structures 102, independent of, orin association with, the operation of the adjacent FETs.

FIG. 2A illustrates an isometric view of the multi-fin transistor device100 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, and further revealing the top side devicestructure, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. In FIG. 2A,only a portion of isolation dielectric 101 is drawn to provide a cutawayview of fins, gate stacks, and metallization structures. In theillustrated embodiment, dielectric liner 112 intervenes betweenmetallization structures 102 and fin sidewall surfaces 123, 124, 125.However, in some alternative embodiments, metallization structures 102directly contacts fin sidewall surfaces 123-125. FIG. 2A shows plugs 113between adjacent fin pairs 103,114 and 104,115 and 105,116. Plugs 113extend from top surfaces 120, 121, 122 down to intersect the plane ofmetallization structures 102. According to some embodiments, gate stacks106-111 cover a portion of sidewalls 123-125 and extend to a depth lessthan that of plugs 113. The portion of fins 103-116 below the depth ofgate stacks 106-111 is referred to herein as the subfin. Being below thegated channel, the subfin does not form an active portion of thefinFETs. As further shown, metallization structures 102 are separatedfrom gate stacks 106-111 by a subfin height H. As further shown in FIG.2A, metallization structures 102 extend the length of fins 103-105,extend the length of plugs 113, and extend the length of fins 114-116.Hence, metallization structures 102 may extend the length of any numberof fins included in a given column of fins within an integrated circuit.

FIG. 2B is a cross sectional view of multi-fin device 100 taken from cutA-A′ in FIG. 2A across fins 103-105. As shown, each fin has a firstwidth W₁ defined by sidewalls 123, 124,125, respectively. Fins 103-105are separated by metallization structures 102, having a second width W₂.In some embodiments, liner 112 forms an interface between metallizationstructures 102 and fin sidewalls 123, 124 and 125. Metallizationstructures 102 have a thickness D₁ in the z-direction that spans thedistance from the bottom surfaces 117-119 of fins 103-105, covering asubfin portion of sidewalls 123-125 to a level below gate stacks106-111. Thickness D₁ may therefore vary as a function of fin heightminus the gate electrode height. Although not illustrated, metallizationstructures 102 may be similarly separated vertically (e.g., z-dimension)from source or drain semiconductor, and from source and drainmetallization. Alternatively, one or more source or drain semiconductoror source or drain metallization that extends to a depth below that ofgate stacks 106-110 (i.e., having a height greater than that of gatestacks 106-110) may directly contact metallization structures 102. Asfurther shown gate stacks 106, 108 and 110, wrap-around top fin surfaces120-122 and sidewalls 123-125, with the sidewall portion covered by gatestacks 106-111 defining the operative gate height, or channel height(e.g., H_(Si)).

FIG. 2C is a cross sectional view of fin 103 and accompanyingstructures, taken from cut B-B′ in FIG. 2A along the y-axis and throughadjacent fins 103 and 114 separated by plug 113. A third fin 129, shownin partial view, is adjacent to fin 114, separated by plug 131. Althoughnot visible in FIG. 2C, metallization structures 102 run the length(e.g., along y-axis) of all the structures illustrated in FIG. 2C. Inthe illustrated embodiments, fins 103 and 114 each have a first lengthL₁ separated by a second length L₂ of plug 113. The bottom surfaces offins 103 and 114 therefore each have an area (i.e., footprint)approximately equal to L₁ multiplied by W₁ (L₁×W₁). In some embodimentswhere plug 113 has a width W₁ (FIG. 2B), the bottom surface of plug 113has an area (footprint) approximately equal to L₂ multiplied by W₁(L₂×W₁). As shown, plug 113 completely isolates fin 103 from fin 114.Metallization structures 102 therefore also extend along a sidewall of aportion of plug 113. The length of metallization structures 102 maytherefore be equal to the number of fins lengths L₁ in a column summedwith the number of plug lengths L₂. In the truncated view of FIG. 2C,metallization structures 102 span a distance comprising twice L₁,corresponding to the length of fins 103 and 114, summed with twice L₂,the length (dimension in the y-direction) of plug 113, to reach thirdfin 129.

FIG. 3A illustrates a topside isometric view of a multi-fin transistordevice structure 300 embedded in isolation dielectric layer 101. Theisometric view of FIG. 3A and isometric views of subsequent figures ofthis disclosure will be understood to illustrate only representativeportions or truncations of a larger integrated circuit. It is furtherunderstood that device layer 300 comprises a plurality of repeating rowsof fins and intervening trenches extending along the x axis of thefigure. According to embodiments of the disclosure and described indetail below, each fin is associated with individual transistorsdistributed in an adjacent manner along they axis of the figure wellbeyond the extents of the illustration. In some embodiments, otherpassive or active devices accompany the transistors. In the illustratedembodiment, metallization structures 301, 302, 303 are disposed below,and in-line with, fins 103-105 and embedded in dielectric layer 101, incontrast to metallization structures located between fins. In theillustrated embodiment, metallization structures 301-303 are planar witha bottom surface 130 of isolation dielectric 101. Of course, device 300is an excerpted structure an any additional dielectrics, metallizationlevels, packaging, or other known structures may be over or below theillustrated subfin regions. Therefore, metallization structures 301-303need not be planarized with the bottom surface of a final operativedevice. Top surfaces of gate stacks 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111 arealso visible in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3B illustrates an inverted isometric view of device structure 300,revealing bottom surfaces of metallization structures 301-303 under thebottoms of fins, according to some embodiments of the disclosure.Metallization structures 301-303 may provide thermal and/or electricalconduction paths on the backside of device structure 300. As shown,subfin portions of fins 114-116 are recessed into dielectric 101 andcovered by metallization structures 301-303, respectively. In theillustrated embodiment, metallization structures 301-303 each have awidth W₁ equal to that of fins 114-116. Metallization structures 301-303have lengths that cover the entire bottom of at least fins 114-116, andin the illustrated embodiment further cover the entire bottom ofmultiple fins in a column of fins and the intervening plugs. Adjacentmetallization structures (e.g., metallization structures 301 and 302)are separated by isolation 101. Isolation 101 also separates fins103-105. Isolation 101 between adjacent metallization and adjacent finshas a width W₂. In some further embodiments, a dielectric liner (notdepicted) is between metallization structures and semiconductor fins,for example to provide electrical isolation between the fin andmetallization structures, and/or to provide an interdiffusion barrierbetween the fin and metallization structures. In some embodiments, W₁ anW₂ have more than one value, and multiple fin spacing and fin widths ona single die. For example, a device may have multiple fin pitches andwidths within one die, with some region of the die having a W₁ and W₂ ofone value, and another region with W₁′ and W₂′ of another value.

FIG. 4A illustrates an isometric view of device structure 300 withadditional portions the top side device structure revealed, according tosome embodiments. Adjacent fins 103 and 114, 104 and 115, 105 and 116form three columns of fins. In alignment with the columns aremetallization structures 301-303. With the exemplary fins being lines,metallization structures 301-303 are also linear (i.e., lines). Adjacentmetallization structures 301-303 are separated by structural portions ofisolation 101 that also extend between columns of fins. In theillustrated embodiment, isolation 101 abuts metallization structures301-303. Adjacent fins 103 and 114, 104 and 115, 105 and 116 areseparated by plugs 113, extending from top surfaces 120-122 down to abottom surface that separates metallization structures 301-303 and thebase of the fins.

As further shown in FIG. 4A, gate stacks 106-111 wrap over top finsurfaces 120-122 and fin sidewalls 123-125 separating source and drainregions of transistors. Metallization structures 301-303 may conductcurrent (e.g., electrical signals and/or power to and from transistorsor other devices formed on fin segments). Metallization structures301-303 may also conduct heat from transistors or other devices formedon fin segments). In some embodiments, metallization structures 301-303are placed between two layers of semiconductor fins, for example in avertical stacking of devices for 3D monolithic integration.

FIG. 4B is a cross sectional view of multi-fin transistor device 300taken from cut A-A′ in FIG. 4A across fins 103-105. As shown, each finhas a first width W₁ bounded by sidewalls 123-125, respectively.Metallization structures 301-303 are directly below fins 103-105 and areseparated from each other by intervening structures of isolation 101having a second width W₂. Thus, adjacent isolation structures areseparated by W₁, the width of fin 103 and dielectric plug 113.Metallization structures 301-303 have a thickness D₂ that extends alongthe z-axis from the bottom surfaces of fins 103-105, covering a subfinportion of sidewalls 123-125 to a level below gate stacks 106-110.Thickness D₂ may therefore vary as a function of fin height minus thegate electrode height. Although not illustrated, metallizationstructures 301-303 may be similarly separated vertically (e.g.,z-dimension) form source or drain semiconductor, and from source anddrain metallization. Alternatively, one or more source or drainsemiconductor or source or drain metallization that extends to a depthbelow that of gate stacks 106-110 (i.e., having a height greater thanthat of gate stacks 106-111) may directly contact metallizationstructures 301-303. As further shown gate stacks 106, 108 and 110,wrap-around top fin surfaces 120-122 and sidewalls 123-125, with thesidewall portion covered by gate stacks 106-110 defining the operativegate height, or channel height (e.g., H_(Si)). While FIG. 4B shows thatmetallization structures 301-303 have the same width W₁ of fins 103-105,in some embodiments metallization structures 301-303 are wider than fins103-105. Regardless, metallization structures 301-303 will have alongitudinal centerline or axis that is in vertical alignment (i.e.,overlaps) a longitudinal centerline of first 103-105.

FIG. 4C is a cross sectional view of device structure 300, taken fromcut B-B′ in FIG. 4A along the length of fins 103 and 114, along a lengthof plug 113. In the illustrated embodiments, fins 103 and 114 each havea first length L₁ separated by a second length L₂ of plug 113. Thebottom surfaces of fins 103 and 114 therefore each have an area (i.e.,footprint) approximately equal to L₁ multiplied by W₁ (L₁×W₁). In someembodiments where plug 113 has a width W₁ (FIG. 2B), the bottom surfaceof plug 113 has an area (footprint) approximately equal to L₂ multipliedby W₁ (L₂×W₁). As shown, plug 113 completely isolates fin 103 from fin114. Metallization structure 301 therefore also extends along a sidewallof a portion of plug 113. As shown in FIG. 4C, metallization structure301 is directly below fin 103 and runs the length (e.g., along y-axis)of all the fin and plug structures illustrated in FIG. 2C. Metallizationstructure 301 may also extend along only a portion of the length of thefin column comprising fins 103, 114 and 129. In the illustratedembodiment, metallization structure 301 is in intimate contact with fins103,114. In some embodiments, the length of conductor line 301 iscontiguous along an entire column of fins extending in the y-directionwith the length of the metallization structure being equal to the numberof fins lengths L₁ in the column summed with the number of plug lengthsL₂. In the truncated view of FIG. 4C, metallization structure 301 spansa distance comprising twice L₁, corresponding to the length of fins 103and 114, summed with twice L₂, the length (dimension in the y-direction)of plug 113, to reach third fin 129. In another embodiment, the plug 113may extend to the bottom of the metallization region, thereby separatingmetallization region 301 into two separate metallization regions oneither side of plug 113.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method 500 for formingmetal structures between fins of a multi-fin transistor device layer, inaccordance with some embodiments. Method 500 begins with operation 501,receiving a workpiece, which may include any of the substrate materialsdescribed above. The workpiece, as received, may include a multi-findevice structure according to one or more of the embodiments describedabove and depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 3A and 3B, and/or integratedcircuits comprising one or more multi-fin device structures on one sideof the semiconductor substrate. In addition, the opposite side of thesemiconductor substrate has been removed to reveal the bottoms of thefins and intervening isolation dielectric. As received, the multi-findevice structure may be bonded to a carrier wafer for mechanicalsupport. In operation 502, the isolation dielectric between the fins arerecessed, forming trenches that expose a subfin portion of the fins. Insome embodiments, preferential removal of the isolation dielectric maybe accomplished by a selective etch of the dielectric in preference tothe semiconductor material. The isolation dielectric may be partiallyremoved by a plasma etch and/or wet etch process. Trenches formed atoperation 502 expose fin sidewalls, and may obtain a depth specifiedsuch that the bottom of the trenches maintains a specified distancebelow the gate stacks and metallization formed on the fin sidewalls. Theetch depth may be controlled by controlling selective etches havingknown etch rates of the isolation dielectric. The etch process may formtrenches having a predetermined depth, corresponding to a desiredthickness of the metallization structures that are to be formed withinthe trenches. For example, an etch depth may be predetermined toaccommodate a metallization thickness D₁ depicted in FIG. 2B). Therecessed trenches span the width of the isolation dielectric stripe(e.g., width W₂ shown in FIG. 2B).

-   At operation 503, a liner layer is deposited into the recessed    trenches and onto the adjacent surface. The dielectric liner    material may comprise compositions including, but not limited to,    oxides of silicon, silicon nitrides, silicon oxynitride, SiOC(H),    MSQ, HSQ, porous dielectrics, etc. The liner may be deposited by    methods including, but not limited to, RF and DC sputtering,    evaporation, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods such as PECVD    and LPCVD, atomic layer deposition (ALD), and liquid phase    deposition methods. Notably, operation 503 is optional as a liner    may not be needed or even desirable in some implementations of    method 500. In some embodiments, the thickness of the dielectric    liner is less on the more vertical sides of the recessed trenches    than it is on the bottom of the recessed trenches (i.e.,    non-conformal). In other embodiments, the thickness of the    dielectric liner on the more vertical sides of the recessed trenches    is substantially the same as the thickness on the bottom of the    recessed trenches (i.e., conformal).

At operation 504, metallization structures are formed. In someembodiments, copper (and alloys thereof), or aluminum (and alloysthereof) are deposited at operation 504. Other metals such as, but notlimited to, gold, silver, cobalt, tantalum, titanium, or tungsten, maybe also be deposited. Other conductive materials having an electricaland/or thermal conductivity that is significantly higher than that ofthe fin material (e.g., graphite or graphene) might instead be depositedin place of a true metal.

Deposition may be by a variety of methods, including, but not limitedto, evaporation, RF and DC sputtering, chemical vapor depositiontechniques such as PECVD, LPCVD, or ALD, and plating techniques (e.g.,electroless or electrolytic deposition). In some embodiments whereelectrochemical plating is employed, a seed layer of a metal such ascopper may be deposited by sputtering or evaporation on the backsideafter the trench etch to provide a conformal conductive plating surface.Regardless of the specific deposition technique, the resultingmetallization structures are self-aligned with the fin pattern (i.e., nolithographic patterning or masking steps needed).

At operation 505, the metallization is planarized, for example to removeany overburden or achieved a desired metallization thicknessspecification. In some embodiments, the planarization comprises achemical-mechanical polish (CMP).

FIGS. 6A-D illustrate a sequence of isometric views of a multi-fintransistor device 100 evolving as selected operations in method 500 areperformed, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 6A shows anisometric view of a received workpiece, comprising multi-fin transistordevice structure 100. The structure is inverted to present the bottomsurface 130 of the device for processing. In FIG. 6A, a bottom 117-119of fins 103-105 and 114-116 are shown, as well as a bottom plugs 113.

In FIG. 6B, isolation dielectric 101 has been recessed, forming trencheshaving a depth D₁, between fins 103, 104 and 105, and fins 114, 115 and116 revealing bottom portions of fin sidewalls 123-125 and sidewalls ofplugs 113. Fin width W₁ separates recessed sections of isolationdielectric 101, whereas fin sidewalls 123-125 are separated from oneanother by trench width W₂. In FIG. 6C, a dielectric liner 112 isdeposited (conformally or non-conformally) over exposed fin surfaces andin the trenches or recesses between fins, according to some embodiments.Dielectric liner 112 may be deposited to a thickness ranging from 1-100nm, for example. In some embodiments, dielectric liner is 2-3 nm thick.

In FIG. 6D, a metal layer has been deposited over dielectric liner 112.During metal deposition, fin bottom surfaces 117-119 are covered inlayer of the deposited metal contiguous with adjacent metallizationstructures 102 backfilling the trenches or recesses. Bottom surface 130has been planarized to remove metal from over fin bottom surfaces117-119, separating metal structure 102 by the fin width W₁.Planarization may be carried out by CMP methods, for example.Sputtering, as well as plasma and wet etching methods may also beemployed. Following planarization, metallization structures 102 areplanar with fin bottom surfaces 117-119, resulting in multi-fintransistor device 100 as shown in FIGS. 1A-2C.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method 700 of formingbottom-side metal structures within recesses formed directly under finsbetween isolation dielectric of a multi-fin transistor device structure,in accordance with some embodiments. At operation 701, a semiconductorworkpiece is received. The workpiece, may for example include a bulk orsemiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. The workpiece may include amulti-fin device structure according to the embodiments described aboveand depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B and/or integrated circuits comprisingone or more multi-fin devices on one side of the semiconductorsubstrate. In addition, the opposite side of the semiconductor substratehas been removed to reveal the bottom of the device structure, where thesemiconductor subfins and intervening isolation dielectric are exposed.The received workpiece may be bonded to a carrier wafer for mechanicalsupport

At operation 702, a selective etch has been carried out on the exposedsemiconductor material to recess the bottom of fins, forming subfintrenches directly under the fins, between the isolation dielectricflanking the sidewalls of the fins. The semiconductor fins may be etchedto any predetermined depth (e.g., corresponding to thickness D₂ in FIG.4B). The depth may be less than the difference between the fin heightand the gate stack height, for example. Any suitable preferentialetching methods may be used. These include, but are not limited to, wetetching (e.g., KOH), or plasma etching. Optionally, the plugs ofdielectric material that separate adjacent fins may also be removedduring the etch of the fins. Optionally, a dielectric liner may bedeposited or grown in the subfin trenches in an operation precedingoperation 703 (not shown).

At operation 703, metal or other conductive material is deposited intothe trenches and over the isolation dielectric flanking the sidewalls ofthe fins. Examples of metals and other conductors are described abovefor method 500, any of which may be deposited by the same techniquesprovided above in the description of method 500. At operation 704,overburden on the backside surface is removed by a planarization step,for example with any suitable CMP process. The resulting metallizationstructures follow the fin layout of the device and are self-aligned withthe fin pattern (i.e., no lithographic patterning or masking stepsneeded).

FIG. 8A-C illustrate sequence of isometric views of a multi-fintransistor device evolving as selected operations in the exemplarymethod illustrated in FIG. 7 are performed, in accordance with someembodiments. FIG. 8A shows an isometric view of a received workpiece,comprising a multi-fin transistor device structure 300. The structure isinverted to present the bottom surface 130 of the structure forprocessing. In FIG. 8A, bottom surfaces 117-119 of fins 103-105 and114-116 are revealed, as well as a bottom surface of plugs 113. Surfacesof gate stacks 110 and 111 are also visible. In some embodiments,multi-fin transistor structure 300 is bonded to a carrier substrate (notdepicted).

In FIG. 8B, trenches 801-803 have been formed by recessing the fins.Trenches 801-803 have a width that is substantially equal to fin widthW₁, which separates sections of isolation dielectric 101 in someembodiments. The fin column comprising fins 114-116 (and adjacent fins103-104, not shown), as well as plugs 113, are recessed to form trencheshaving a depth D₂ below surface 130, corresponding to metal structurethickness D₂ in FIG. 4B. Depth D₂ may be chosen to avoid interferencewith gate stacks and metal structures on the sidewalls of the fins.Depth D₂ may be less than the difference between the fin height and thegate stack height. Trench formation may be performed by several methods,for example as described in operation 702 of method 700. Optionally, adielectric liner may be deposited in trenches 801-803 precedingformation of metallization structures.

In FIG. 8C, a metal (or other conductive material) is deposited oversurface 800, at least partially filling the trenches to form subfinmetallization structures 804-806. As described for method 500, the metalmay be deposited by a variety of methods, including, but not limited to,evaporation, RF and DC sputtering, chemical vapor deposition techniquessuch as PECVD and LPCVD, electroless deposition, and electroplating, forexample as explained above in the description of process flow 500.

Bottom surface 130 may be covered in layer of the deposited metalcontiguous with adjacent metal structures 804-806. In FIG. 8C, bottomsurface 130 has been planarized to remove metal from over fin bottoms117-119, separating metallization structures 804-806 by W₂, the width ofisolation between fins. Planarization may be any suitable technique. Asa result of the planarization, metallization structures 804-806 areplanar with bottom surface 130, producing multi-fin transistor devicestructure 300 as shown in FIGS. 3A-4C.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 900 for forming fins overmetallization structure from an epitaxial semiconductor layer grown overthe semiconductor substrate. At operation 901, a substrate including anyof the semiconductor materials described elsewhere herein is received.In some embodiments, the semiconductor substrate is unprocessed. In someembodiments, the semiconductor substrate has structures fabricated on atleast one side. In some embodiments, prior processing includesdeposition of a metallization layer, and masking the metallization layerin preparation of a patterned etch of the metallization layer. Themetallization layer may comprise any of the metals or other conductivematerials described elsewhere herein for metallization structures.Alternatively, at operation 902, a metallization layer is deposited onthe substrate surface. A metal or non-metal conductor may be deposited.Examples of metals and non-metal conductors include copper or alloys ofcopper. In some other embodiments, the metallization layer deposited isaluminum or an alloy of aluminum. In some other embodiments, themetallization layer deposited comprises at least one of tungsten,titanium, or tantalum. Other metals are also possible (e.g., gold,silver, cobalt, etc.). Exemplary conductors include semimetals such as,but not limited to, graphite and graphene. The metallization layer maybe deposited by a suitable technique such as, but not limited to,sputtering (DC and RF), evaporation, PECVD, LPCVD, electrolessdeposition, and electroplating. In some embodiments, the metal layer maybe deposited to thicknesses ranging from 10-100 nm.

At operation 903, metallization structures are etched in the metal layerdeposited on the semiconductor substrate surface and masked in aprevious operation (as in 901). In some embodiments, the metallizationstructures are lines isolated from one another and with a semiconductorsubstrate surface between adjacent lines. In some embodiments, the etchprocess may utilize wet etch methods, such as, but not limited to, acidetch, iodine etch, cyanide etch, etc. Alternatively, dry (plasma)etching techniques may be employed. In some embodiments, the metal lineshave a fixed width. In other embodiments, the metal lines have differentwidths. In some embodiments, the metal line widths are substantially thesame as the widths of fins that are to be formed in a subsequentoperation of method 900.

According to embodiments, at operation 904, an epitaxial semiconductorlayer is grown from the exposed semiconductor material of thesemiconductor substrate, and over the metallization structures. In someembodiments, the epitaxial semiconductor layer is seeded in the trenchesand grows laterally over the metallization structures. In someembodiments, the epitaxial semiconductor material is one of a group IVmaterial such as silicon, germanium or silicon-germanium alloy, a III-Vcompound, such as gallium arsenide indium phosphide, indium arsenide, aIII-N material such as gallium nitride, or a II-VI compound, such ascadmium telluride, etc. In some embodiments, the epitaxial semiconductormaterial has the same crystallinity as the substrate material. Thethickness of the epitaxial semiconductor layer is a function of growthkinetics associated with the epitaxial process, and the growth may betimed based on known growth rates to define a layer thickness. In someembodiments, the thickness of the epitaxial layer corresponds to theheight of the fins that are to be fabricated in the subsequentoperation.

At operation 905, the etch mask is applied to the epitaxialsemiconductor layer. In some embodiments, the etch mask has aperturesaligned over trenches between metal lines. In some embodiments, theapertures have widths that are the same as the trench widths. In otherembodiments, the apertures have widths that are different from thetrench widths (e.g., smaller or larger). At operation 906, the epitaxialsemiconductor layer is etched, for example to expose the substratebetween the metal lines, forming fins on the metal lines. The etchprocess may employ wet etch and/or plasma etch methods.

FIGS. 10A-F illustrate a sequence of isometric views depicting theevolution of a semiconductor fin structure 1000 by epitaxial finfabrication directly on metal lines, as selected operations of method900 are performed. In FIG. 10A, semiconductor substrate 1001 is preparedfor deposition of a metal layer 1003 on surface 1002. In someembodiments, metal layer 1003 is any of copper, aluminum, titanium,tantalum, tungsten, and alloys thereof. In some embodiments, a semimetalsuch as, but not limited to, graphite, graphene is deposited. In someembodiments, semiconductor substrate 1001 is unprocessed on at least onesurface 1002. In some embodiments, semiconductor substrate 1001 hasstructures on both surfaces.

In FIG. 10B, metal layer 1003 has been deposited on surface 1002 to athickness D₃. In FIG. 10C, metal layer 1003 is patterned intometallization structures 1004-1006 (e.g., lines separated by spaces).For example, metal layer 1003 may be first masked with apertures in themask to define the metallization structure. In some embodiments,metallization structures 1004-1006 have a width W₃, separated by trenchwidth W₄. In some embodiments, metallization structures 1004-1006 havedifferent widths.

In FIG. 10D, epitaxial semiconductor layer 1007 is grown, initiated overthe semiconductor surfaces between metallization structures 1004-1006,and grown out of the spaces to cover metallization structures 1004-1006.In some embodiments, epitaxial semiconductor layer 1007 is grown tothickness D₄. In some embodiments, D₄ corresponds to a specified heightof the fins that are to be formed in a subsequent operation

In FIG. 10E, epitaxial layer 1007 has been etched to form fins 1008-1010directly on metallization structures 1004-1006, respectively. In someembodiments, fins 1008-1010 may be etched to have a width W₅ that issmaller than conductor line width W₃ shown in FIG. 10C. In analternative embodiment shown in FIG. 10F, etched fins 1011-1013 have awidth W₆ that is equal to or larger than conductor line width W₃. Insome embodiments, the sidewalls of fins 1011-1013 are offset from thesidewall of the metallization structures 1004-1006 by 15% or less of W₃of metallization structures 1004-1006.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method 1100 for forming fins over metal lines inan epitaxial semiconductor layer grown over an intervening dielectriclayer, in accordance with some embodiments. In method 1100, operations1101, 1102 and 1103 are substantially the same as operations 901, 902and 903 of method 900. At operation 1104, a dielectric liner isconformally deposited over metal lines and within the spaces therebetween. The dielectric liner material may comprise compositionsincluding, but not limited to, oxides of silicon, silicon nitrides,silicon oxynitride, carbon-doped oxide, MSQ, HSQ, and porousdielectrics. Deposition methods include, but are not limited to, RF andDC sputtering, evaporation, chemical vapor deposition methods such asPECVD and LPCVD, and liquid phase deposition methods. In a subsequentpatterning step (not illustrated), the dielectric liner between metallines is removed, exposing underlying semiconductor surface.

At operation 1105, an epitaxial semiconductor layer is grown from thesemiconductor exposed between the metallization structures and growsover the metallization structures. Once the epitaxial semiconductorlayer within the trenches has grown to approximately the thickness ofthe metallization structures, it may laterally grow over themetallization structures. In some embodiments, the epitaxialsemiconductor is grown to a specified thickness corresponding to theheight of fins that are to be fabricated in a subsequent operation. Insome embodiments, the epitaxial semiconductor material is one of a groupIV material such as silicon, germanium or silicon-germanium alloy, aIII-V compound, such as gallium arsenide, indium phosphide, indiumarsenide, a III-N material such as gallium nitride, or a II-VI compound,such as cadmium telluride, etc. In some embodiments, the epitaxialsemiconductor material has the same crystallinity as the substratematerial. The thickness of the epitaxial semiconductor layer is afunction of growth kinetics associated with the epitaxial process, andthe growth may be timed based on known growth rates to define a layerthickness. In some embodiments, the thickness of the epitaxial layercorresponds to the height of the fins that are to be fabricated in thesubsequent operation.

At operation 1106, the an etch mask is applied to the epitaxialsemiconductor layer such that the etch mask has apertures aligned overtrenches between metallization structures. In some embodiments, theapertures have widths that are the same as the spacing between twoadjacent metallization structures. In other embodiments, the apertureshave widths that are different from the spacing between two adjacentmetallization structures. At operation 1107, the epitaxial semiconductorlayer is etched to form fins on the metallization structures. The etchprocess may employ wet etch and plasma etch methods, such as, but notlimited to, KOH wet etch, reactive ion etching, etc.

FIG. 12A-D illustrate a sequence of isometric views depicting theevolution of a semiconductor fin structure 1200 directly on metal lines,as selected operations of method 1100 are performed. In FIG. 12A, asemiconductor substrate 1001 includes a surface 1002 with metallizationstructures 1004-1006, for example that may have been previously formedaccording to operations 1101 and 1102 (FIG. 11). Dielectric liner 1201has been deposited over metallization structures 1004-1006, for exampleas described in operation 1103 of exemplary method 1100. In FIG. 12B,epitaxial semiconductor layer 1007 has been grown, initiated from thesemiconductor surfaces, and grown over metallization structures1004-1006 that are capped by dielectric liner 1201. In some embodiments,epitaxial semiconductor layer 1007 may be grown to thickness D₄.

In FIG. 12C, epitaxial layer 1007 has been etched to form fins 1008-1010directly on metallization structures 1004-1006, respectively, coatedwith intervening dielectric liner 1201. In some embodiments, fins1008-1010 have a width W₅ that is smaller than conductor line width W₃shown in FIG. 12A. In FIG. 12D, etched fins 1011-1013 have a width W₆that is equal to or larger than conductor line width W₃.

FIG. 13 illustrates a system 1300 in which a mobile computing platform1305 and/or a data server machine 1306 employs an IC, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. In further embodiments, the ICincludes any of the metallization structures described elsewhere herein.The server machine 1306 may be any commercial server, for exampleincluding any number of high-performance computing platforms disposedwithin a rack and networked together for electronic data processing,which in the exemplary embodiment includes a packaged monolithic IC1350. The mobile computing platform 1305 may be any portable deviceconfigured for each of electronic data display, electronic dataprocessing, wireless electronic data transmission, or the like. Forexample, the mobile computing platform 1305 may be any of a tablet, asmart phone, laptop computer, etc., and may include a display screen(e.g., a capacitive, inductive, resistive, or optical touchscreen), achip-level or package-level integrated system 1310, and a battery 1315.

Whether disposed within the integrated system 1310 illustrated in theexpanded view 1320, or as a stand-alone packaged chip within the servermachine 1306, packaged monolithic IC 1350 includes a memory chip (e.g.,RAM), or a processor chip (e.g., a microprocessor, a multi-coremicroprocessor, graphics processor, or the like) including at least onefinFET over a metallization structure, for example as describe elsewhereherein. The monolithic IC 1350 may be further coupled to a board, asubstrate, or an interposer 1360 along with, one or more of a powermanagement integrated circuit (PMIC) 1330, RF (wireless) integratedcircuit (RFIC) 1325 including a wideband RF (wireless) transmitterand/or receiver (TX/RX) (e.g., including a digital baseband and ananalog front end module further comprises a power amplifier on atransmit path and a low noise amplifier on a receive path), and acontroller thereof 1335.

Functionally, PMIC 1330 may perform battery power regulation, DC-to-DCconversion, etc., and so has an input coupled to battery 1315 and withan output providing a current supply to other functional modules. Asfurther illustrated, in the exemplary embodiment, RFIC 1325 has anoutput coupled to an antenna (not shown) to implement any of a number ofwireless standards or protocols, including but not limited to Wi-Fi(IEEE 802.11 family), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16 family), IEEE 802.20, long termevolution (LTE), Ev-DO, HSPA+, HSDPA+, HSUPA+, EDGE, GSM, GPRS, CDMA,TDMA, DECT, Bluetooth, derivatives thereof, as well as any otherwireless protocols that are designated as 3G, 4G, 5G, and beyond. Inalternative implementations, each of these board-level modules may beintegrated onto separate ICs coupled to the package substrate of themonolithic IC 1050 or within a single IC coupled to the packagesubstrate of the monolithic IC 1350.

FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of a computing device 1400,arranged in accordance with at least some implementations of the presentdisclosure. Computing device 1400 may be found inside platform 1305 orserver machine 1306, for example. Device 1400 further includes amotherboard 1402 hosting a number of components, such as, but notlimited to, a processor 1404 (e.g., an applications processor), whichmay further incorporate at least one finFET over a metallizationstructure, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.Processor 1404 may be physically and/or electrically coupled tomotherboard 1402. In some examples, processor 1404 includes anintegrated circuit die packaged within the processor 1404. In general,the term “processor” or “microprocessor” may refer to any device orportion of a device that processes electronic data from registers and/ormemory to transform that electronic data into other electronic data thatmay be further stored in registers and/or memory.

In various examples, one or more communication chips 1406 may also bephysically and/or electrically coupled to the motherboard 1402. Infurther implementations, communication chips 1406 may be part ofprocessor 1404. Depending on its applications, computing device 1400 mayinclude other components that may or may not be physically andelectrically coupled to motherboard 1402. These other componentsinclude, but are not limited to, volatile memory (e.g., DRAM),non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM), flash memory, a graphics processor, adigital signal processor, a crypto processor, a chipset, an antenna,touchscreen display, touchscreen controller, battery, audio codec, videocodec, power amplifier, global positioning system (GPS) device, compass,accelerometer, gyroscope, speaker, camera, and mass storage device (suchas hard disk drive, solid-state drive (SSD), compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD), and so forth), or the like.

Communication chips 1406 may enable wireless communications for thetransfer of data to and from the computing device 1400. The term“wireless” and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits,devices, systems, methods, techniques, communications channels, etc.,that may communicate data through the use of modulated electromagneticradiation through a non-solid medium. The term does not imply that theassociated devices do not contain any wires, although in someembodiments they might not. Communication chips 1406 may implement anyof a number of wireless standards or protocols, including but notlimited to those described elsewhere herein. As discussed, computingdevice 1400 may include a plurality of communication chips 1406. Forexample, a first communication chip may be dedicated to shorter-rangewireless communications, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and a secondcommunication chip may be dedicated to longer-range wirelesscommunications such as GPS, EDGE, GPRS, CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, Ev-DO, andothers.

Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,”“some embodiments,” or “other embodiments” means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but notnecessarily all embodiments. The various appearances of “an embodiment,”“one embodiment,” or “some embodiments” are not necessarily allreferring to the same embodiments. If the specification states acomponent, feature, structure, or characteristic “may,” “might,” or“could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, orcharacteristic is not required to be included. If the specification orclaim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is onlyone of the elements. If the specification or claims refer to “anadditional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one ofthe additional element.

Furthermore, the particular features, structures, functions, orcharacteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. For example, a first embodiment may be combined with asecond embodiment anywhere the particular features, structures,functions, or characteristics associated with the two embodiments arenot mutually exclusive.

While the disclosure has been described in conjunction with specificembodiments thereof, many alternatives, modifications and variations ofsuch embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artin light of the foregoing description. The embodiments of the disclosureare intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, andvariations as to fall within the broad scope of the appended claims.

In addition, well known power/ground connections to integrated circuit(IC) chips and other components may or may not be shown within thepresented figures, for simplicity of illustration and discussion, and soas not to obscure the disclosure. Further, arrangements may be shown inblock diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the disclosure, and alsoin view of the fact that specifics with respect to implementation ofsuch block diagram arrangements are highly dependent upon the platformwithin which the present disclosure is to be implemented (i.e., suchspecifics should be well within purview of one skilled in the art).Where specific details (e.g., circuits) are set forth in order todescribe example embodiments of the disclosure, it should be apparent toone skilled in the art that the disclosure can be practiced without, orwith variation of, these specific details. The description is thus to beregarded as illustrative instead of limiting.

The following examples pertain to further embodiments. Specifics in theexamples may be used anywhere in one or more embodiments. All optionalfeatures of the apparatus described herein may also be implemented withrespect to a method or process.

Example 1 is transistor structure, comprising: a first fin comprising asemiconductor material, the first fin having a top opposite a bottomwith a sidewall therebetween, wherein the bottom of the first fin has afirst length and a first width; isolation comprising a dielectricmaterial, wherein, over at least the first length, the isolation has asecond width extending between the bottom of the first fin and a bottomof a second fin; one or more transistor terminals over the top or thesidewall of the first fin; and a metallization structure having at leastthe first length, wherein the metallization structure has approximatelythe first width and is in contact with the bottom of the first fin, andwherein the second width of the isolation is between the metallizationstructure and an adjacent metallization structure; or the metallizationstructure has approximately the second width, is in contact with theisolation, and is separated from the adjacent metallization structure byapproximately the first width.

Example 2 includes all the features of example 1, wherein: themetallization structure has approximately the first width, and thesecond width of the isolation is between the metallization structure andthe adjacent metallization structure; a sidewall of the metallizationstructure and a sidewall of the first fin are offset from each other byless than 15% of the first width; and the metallization structure isseparated from at least one of the transistor terminals by a portion ofthe sidewall.

Example 3 includes all the features of examples 1 through 2, furthercomprising a plug comprising a second dielectric material, wherein: theplug has the first width and separates an end of the first fin from anend of a third fin by a second length; and the metallization structurehas at least the first length summed with the second length, and is incontact with the plug.

Example 4 includes all the features of examples 1 through 3, wherein:the third fin has at least the first length; and the metallizationstructure has at least twice the first length summed with the secondlength, and is in contact with the third fin.

Example 5 includes all the features of examples 1 through 4, wherein:the metallization structure has at least the first length andapproximately the second width; and a sidewall of the metallizationstructure is separated from the sidewall of the first fin by anintervening liner comprising a dielectric material.

Example 6 includes all the features of example 5, wherein theintervening liner separates the metallization structure from theisolation.

Example 7 includes all the features of examples 5 through 6, furthercomprising a plug comprising a dielectric material, wherein: the plughas the first width and separates an end of the first fin from an end ofa third fin by a second length; and the metallization structure has atleast the first length summed with the second length, and the plug isbetween the metallization structure and the adjacent metallizationstructure.

Example 8 includes all the features of examples 5 through 7, wherein theplug is between the metallization structure and the adjacentmetallization structure over the second length; a second linercomprising a dielectric material is between the metallization structureand the plug; and a third liner comprising a dielectric material isbetween the plug and the adjacent metallization structure.

Example 9 includes all the features of examples 5 through 7, wherein:the third fin has at least the first length; and the metallizationstructure has at least twice the first length summed with the secondlength.

Example 10 includes all the features of examples 1 through 9, wherein:the semiconductor comprises at least one of silicon, germanium, a GroupIV alloy, or a Group III—V alloy; the transistor terminals comprise agate electrode, the gate electrode separated from the sidewall of thefirst fin by a gate dielectric layer; and the metallization structurecomprises Cu.

Example 11 is a transistor structure, comprising: a first fin comprisinga semiconductor material, the first fin having a top opposite a bottomwith a sidewall of a first height therebetween, wherein the bottom ofthe first fin has a first length and a first width; isolation comprisinga dielectric material, wherein, over at least the first length, theisolation has a second width extending between the bottom of the firstfin and a bottom of a second fin; a gate stack comprising a gateelectrode and a gate dielectric, the gate stack extending over a secondheight of the sidewall, less than the first height; a source and a draincoupled to the fin on opposite sides of the gate stack; and ametallization structure having at least the first length and separatedfrom the gate electrode by third height of the sidewall, the thirdheight equal to a difference between the first and second heights; andwherein: the metallization structure has approximately the first width,is in contact with the bottom of the first fin, and is separated from anadjacent metallization structure by approximately the second width; orthe metallization structure has at least the first length, is in contactwith the isolation, and is separated from the adjacent metallizationstructure by approximately the first width.

Example 12 includes all the features of example 11, wherein the sourceis separated from the drain by less than the first length.

Example 13 includes all the features of examples 11 through 12, whereinthe metallization structure is planar with the fin bottom.

Example 14 includes all the features of example 13, wherein a sidewallof the metallization structure is separated from the fin sidewall by anintervening liner comprising a dielectric material.

Example 15 is a method of fabricating a transistor structure, the methodcomprising: forming fins comprising a semiconductor separated byisolation, the isolation comprising a dielectric material, and the finshaving tops opposite bottoms with sidewalls of the fins therebetween;forming one or more transistor terminals over the tops or the sidewallsof one or more of the fins; and forming metallization structures incontact with the bottoms of the fins with individual ones of themetallization structures separated by the isolation, or formingmetallization structures in contact with the isolation with individualones of the metallization structures separated by the fins.

Example 16 includes all the features of example 15, forming themetallization structures further comprises forming trenches self-alignedto the fins or to the isolation by etching the fins selectively to theisolation or etching the isolation selectively to the fins; and at leastpartially backfilling the trenches with a metal.

Example 17 includes all the features of examples 15 through 16, whereinforming the metallization structures further comprises: exposing theisolation and the bottom of the fins; forming the trenches self-alignedto the fins by etching the isolation selectively to the fins; depositinga liner comprising dielectric material within the trenches; depositingthe metal over the liner; and planarizing the metal with the fins.

Example 18 includes all the features of example 16, wherein forming themetallization structure further comprises: exposing the isolation andthe bottom of the fins; forming the trenches self-aligned to theisolation by etching the fins selectively to the isolation; depositingthe metal into the trenches; and planarizing the metal with theisolation.

Example 19 includes all the features of example 16, wherein forming themetallization structures further comprises: depositing a metal over abase layer comprising a semiconductor; patterning the metal into themetallization structures, the patterning exposing the base layer betweenadjacent ones of the metallization structures; growing semiconductorepitaxially from the base layer until the metallization structures arecovered with the semiconductor; and patterning the semiconductor intothe fins.

Example 20 includes all the features of example 19, wherein patterningthe semiconductor into the fins further comprises etching trenchesthrough the semiconductor, the trenches landing on the base layer.

Example 21 includes all the features of example 19, wherein patterningthe semiconductor into the fins further comprises etching trenchesthrough the semiconductor, the trenches landing on the metallizationstructures.

An abstract is provided that will allow the reader to ascertain thenature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract is submittedwith the understanding that it will not be used to limit the scope ormeaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporated intothe detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as aseparate embodiment.

We claim:
 1. A transistor structure, comprising: a first fin comprisinga semiconductor material, the first fin having a top opposite a bottomwith a sidewall therebetween, wherein the bottom of the first fin has afirst length and a first width; isolation comprising a dielectricmaterial, wherein, over at least the first length, the isolation has asecond width extending between the bottom of the first fin and a bottomof a second fin; one or more transistor terminals over the top or thesidewall of the first fin; and a metallization structure having at leastthe first length, wherein: the metallization structure has approximatelythe first width and is in contact with the bottom of the first fin, andwherein the second width of the isolation is between the metallizationstructure and an adjacent metallization structure; or the metallizationstructure has approximately the second width, is in contact with theisolation, and is separated from the adjacent metallization structure byapproximately the first width.
 2. The transistor structure of claim 1,wherein: the metallization structure has approximately the first width,and the second width of the isolation is between the metallizationstructure and the adjacent metallization structure; a sidewall of themetallization structure and a sidewall of the first fin are offset fromeach other by less than 15% of the first width; and the metallizationstructure is separated from at least one of the transistor terminals bya portion of the sidewall.
 3. The transistor structure of claim 2,further comprising a plug comprising a second dielectric material,wherein: the plug has the first width and separates an end of the firstfin from an end of a third fin by a second length; and the metallizationstructure has at least the first length summed with the second length,and is in contact with the plug.
 4. The transistor structure of claim 3,wherein: the third fin has at least the first length; and themetallization structure has at least twice the first length summed withthe second length, and is in contact with the third fin.
 5. Thetransistor structure of claim 1, wherein: the metallization structurehas at least the first length and approximately the second width; and asidewall of the metallization structure is separated from the sidewallof the first fin by an intervening liner comprising a dielectricmaterial.
 6. The transistor structure of claim 5, wherein theintervening liner separates the metallization structure from theisolation.
 7. The transistor structure of claim 5, further comprising aplug comprising a dielectric material, wherein: the plug has the firstwidth and separates an end of the first fin from an end of a third finby a second length; and the metallization structure has at least thefirst length summed with the second length, and the plug is between themetallization structure and the adjacent metallization structure.
 8. Thetransistor structure of claim 7, wherein: the plug is between themetallization structure and the adjacent metallization structure overthe second length; a second liner comprising a dielectric material isbetween the metallization structure and the plug; and a third linercomprising a dielectric material is between the plug and the adjacentmetallization structure.
 9. The transistor structure of claim 7,wherein: the third fin has at least the first length; and themetallization structure has at least twice the first length summed withthe second length.
 10. The transistor structure of claim 1, wherein: thesemiconductor comprises at least one of silicon, germanium, a Group IValloy, or a Group III—V alloy; the transistor terminals comprise a gateelectrode, the gate electrode separated from the sidewall of the firstfin by a gate dielectric layer; and the metallization structurecomprises Cu.
 11. A transistor structure, comprising: a first fincomprising a semiconductor material, the first fin having a top oppositea bottom with a sidewall of a first height therebetween, wherein thebottom of the first fin has a first length and a first width; isolationcomprising a dielectric material, wherein, over at least the firstlength, the isolation has a second width extending between the bottom ofthe first fin and a bottom of a second fin; a gate stack comprising agate electrode and a gate dielectric, the gate stack extending over asecond height of the sidewall, less than the first height; a source anda drain coupled to the fin on opposite sides of the gate stack; and ametallization structure having at least the first length and separatedfrom the gate electrode by third height of the sidewall, the thirdheight equal to a difference between the first and second heights; andwherein: the metallization structure has approximately the first width,is in contact with the bottom of the first fin, and is separated from anadjacent metallization structure by approximately the second width; orthe metallization structure has at least the first length, is in contactwith the isolation, and is separated from the adjacent metallizationstructure by approximately the first width.
 12. The transistor structureof claim 11, where in the source is separated from the drain by lessthan the first length.
 13. The transistor structure of claim 11, whereinthe metallization structure is planar with the fin bottom.
 14. Thetransistor structure of claim 13, wherein a sidewall of themetallization structure is separated from the fin sidewall by anintervening liner comprising a dielectric material.